Archive for July, 2010

On Thursday I attended the Licensing Panel hearing regarding the Crossbar on Upton Road. My colleague Cllr Chris Blakeley spoke on behalf of residents who had contacted him opposing the plan. After hearing evidence for those both for and against the application, the panel declined to grant the licence.

Due to the reasons the panel gave for the refusal, I anticipate a further application with amendments will be submitted shortly.

Yesterday was the Centenary Celebration of Wallasey becoming a Borough. The event was hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral and the guest of honour was Dame Lorna Muirhead, who is the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside. After presentations in the Town Hall we watched a fascinating film of Wallasey in the 50’s and 60’s. We listened to a fanfare for Wallasey played by Wallasey schoolchildren, especially written for this occasion by Oldershaw’s head of Music, Philip McGinity.

We were then taken on a restored Wallasey Borough Bus to Church Street near to the junction with Brighton Street where Dame Lorna unveiled a plaque commemorating the original Town Hall which had stood at this location.

A very interesting morning bringing back lots of nostalgia. The one sad point was that even though the film was very old, I could remember a lot of the things in it!

Yesterday lunchtime I went to see Live ‘n’ Lounge in the Plaza at the Floral Pavilion. It was a concert of Swing and Big Band Sounds preformed by the Wirral Youth Theatre / Youth Arts & Vox.

For five years a project called ‘Soundsteps’ has been running providing a wide range of musical projects for people aged 13 -19 years. The concert featured 2 hours of excellent singing with the students accompanied by some member of the Greg Williams Big Band. Also performing to some of the numbers were dancers, also from the Wirral Youth Theatre. A thoroughly pleasant way to spend a Sunday Lunchtime.

On Thursday I attended another meeting between the 3 shopkeepers and Wirral Partnership Homes regarding the run down shops and maisonettes. We did not get good news. We were hoping for development of the plans but were told everything was on hold for six months. Apparently due to 2 senior staff leaving and the financial crisis, all WPH’s projects have been suspended with a view to revaluation.

I protested strongly about the 6 months delay as the traders have already waited years for some action to be taken. Our views are to be taken to the Chief Executive of WPH and I have requested an early meeting with him.

Yesterday evening was spent at the Floral Pavilion for the Volunteer of the Year awards. The Guests of Honour were the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Councillor and Mrs Alan Jennings. Others present were my colleagues Councillors David Elderton, Ian Lewis, Sheila Clarke, Cherry Povall and Karen Hayes.

The Awards were hosted by Roger Lyon from Radio Merseyside and the whole event arranged by Angela Green of Wirral CVS and her team. It was very humbling to hear the citations about the nominees for the awards of the different categories. It is amazing just how much good work is done by Volunteers, many of them overcoming their own disabilities to help others.

It was of great pleasure for myself and Ian Lewis that the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award was Helen Wilkinson. Helen is a Special Sergeant with Merseyside Police and works from Moreton Police Station covering our wards.

Helen is a mother of three children, two having Spina Bifida. She has been a Special Police Officer for 13 years and has been responsible for re-instating the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, setting up an Anti Social Behaviour team and the areas High Visibilty team.

A very good night and again another insight into the good citizenship that exists in Wirral.

Yesterday at Wallasey Town Hall was the Children’s Parliament Enviromental Debate. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit through the afternoon session. The council was chaired by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs Alan Jennings. The debate was facilitated by the Chief Executive, Steve Maddox.

The afternoon opened with a presentation by the winners of the morning session which was Brookdale Primary School, Greasby. The quality of the presentation and the content was excellent.

The afternoon session commenced and was between five secondary schools, with four pupils from each. Interestingly all participants were girls. Apparently this was not contrived, but as two schools had to drop out last minute, it was only girls schools’ remaining. The schools taking part were Penby, Prenton, Weatherhead, West Kirby and Wirral.

The presentations and debate went very well with all rules, set out by Mr Maddox, being adhered to. The ideas and issues brought out by the girls were very enlightening and indeed I feel as usual, us ‘adult’ councillors could learn a thing or two by listening to youngsters!

The winner of the afternoon session was Wirral Grammar which was very well deserved. A few of the young ladies showed a natural instict for debate and could well end up being councillors or MP’s, one even started wagging a finger, whilst speaking!

A great afternoon proving that these youngsters have recognised the dangers that the enviroment is facing and are considering options available.

Tonight I attended the Planning Committee meeting at the Town Hall where the Tesco (Moreton Cross) application was listed for consideration. As thought it has been deferred for a site visit. This means that all twelve of the committee will see the site first hand before the hearing.

There were quite a number of objectors at the Town Hall headed by Stuart Beeston of Carousel Flowers. The debate got a good airing on this lunchtime’s Roger Philips phone-in on Radio Merseyside, including an interview with my colleague Councillor Chris Blakeley

I have this morning found out that the Halifax Agency within Jones & Chapman, 248 Hoylake Road is to close on the 27th October. This is a further blow to Moreton having recently lost Johnson the Cleaners at the Cross. The nearest Halifax Branches to Moreton will be Birkenhead and Wallasey.

I have spoken to Halifax and they say they are closing all agencies Nationwide, which means we will be losing Greasby as well. Customers in Moreton will be encouraged to use LloydsTSB which is part of the same group. Quite ironic seeing as there was always a queue as the Moreton branch!

It’s taken me 52 years of living within a mile or so of it, but today I finally went up Leasowe Lighthouse. It was a nice clear day and we could see as far as North Wales and Lancashire but not quite clear enough for Blackpool Tower. I was escorted up the 130 winding steps by one of the members, Helen, who gave me lots of history about the lighthouse and the family who had run it.

Today I attended the morning service at Moreton Baptist Church. Unknown to me it was their anniversary, 80 Years, and 1 lady in the congregation had been present at the opening in 1930! It was pleasing to see how much good is being done for the community by the Church. Firstly I was very warmly welcomed particularly by Andy and Hannah. The Church is very family orientated with there being no fewer than six age groups, with differing activites, for 0 – 18 year olds. After the service tea, coffee and cake was served and a lot of interesting conversation took place.

The Church holds many diverse meetings throughout the week and the rainbow cafe is open in the mornings from 9.00 – 1.00. The cafe is also used by the pupils from Foxfield School. Further details at http://www.moretonbaptistchurch.org.uk/